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Queen
ExploreInsects
Queen
Danaus gilippus
The Queen butterfly is a beautiful insect with orange and black wings. It loves to flutter around flowers and is often seen in gardens and parks.
Habitat: Urban areas
Appearance
The Queen has rich reddish-brown wings with black veins and a distinctive border of black and white spots. Its body is dark with small white spots. Unlike similar species, its hindwings lack the bold black band with white spots found on Monarch butterflies.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyNymphalidaeGenusDanaus
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
A male Queen butterfly has special "hair pencils" to attract a mate.
Queen caterpillars munch on toxic milkweed, but it makes them poisonous!
They perform an amazing migration, traveling hundreds of miles!
They use their long proboscis like a straw to sip sweet nectar.
Special abilities
Ability
Toxic Taste Shield
Queen can store toxins from milkweed plants because of its caterpillar diet, making them unappetizing to predators.
Ability
Chemical Caller
Queen males have special scent scales that release pheromones because it helps them attract females for mating.
Ability
Mimicry Master
Queen butterflies can look very similar to Monarchs because this helps confuse predators who avoid the toxic Monarch.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 70-100 mm
- Size
- 20-35 mm
- Lifespan
- 14-60 days
- Flight Speed
- 15 km/h
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Adult Queens sip nectar from flowers, while caterpillars feast on milkweed leaves.
Age differences: Caterpillars eat milkweed leaves, while adult butterflies drink flower nectar.
Primary Foods
- flower nectar
- milkweed leaves (caterpillars)
- water
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
depends on
Common Milkweed
Asclepias syriaca
Caterpillars exclusively feed on milkweed leaves for growth and defense.
symbiotic with
Monarch butterfly
Danaus plexippus
Looks similar to the Monarch, benefiting from its toxicity to predators.
symbiotic with
European Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
Shares nectar sources and contributes to general pollination efforts in habitats.
eaten by
Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata
Predators, though the butterfly's toxicity often deters them after a first taste.
Traits
Striped
Marked with parallel bands or lines of color.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Migratory
Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability.
Urban Friendly
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
DanausMilkweed Butterfly
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always watch butterflies from a distance and don't try to catch them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Queen's wingspan?
70-100 mm
How big is Queen?
20-35 mm
How long does Queen live?
14-60 days
How fast can Queen fly?
15 km/h
What does Queen eat?
Adult Queens sip nectar from flowers, while caterpillars feast on milkweed leaves.
Where is Queen usually found?
Urban areas
How does Queen hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does Queen have?
6
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